The United Nations £2, often referred to as the ‘Nations United For Peace £2 coin’, is an old-style £2 coin that was introduced way back in 1995 – but how much is it worth today?
According to the average values on eBay in 2022, you can expect to sell one of these coins for around £11.67 without postage and packaging. Bear in mind that this doesn’t consider the condition of the coin.
If you want to learn more about the coin, including why it is worth so much more than its face value, then read the rest of this article.
Is The 1995 United Nations £2 Coin Rare?
The 1995 United Nations coin has a total mintage of 1,750,000 and was one of two commemorative £2 coins issued in 1995; the other being the Dove of Peace coin which had a mintage of 5,166,286.
In terms of rarity, a mintage of just under 2 million is considered to be quite low. Also, given the fact that the coin is a pre-1997 £2 coin, it is quite sought after by collectors.
There were also a few other versions of the coin released by the Royal Mint for collectors, for which the mintages can be seen below.
| Specification | Mintage | Estimated Value |
| Brilliant Uncirculated | n/a | £10-£20 |
| Silver Proof | 175,000 | Around £20-£30 |
| Silver Proof Piedfort | 10,000 | £40 to £100 |
| Gold Proof | 17,500 | Around £1,000 to £2,000 |
What Does ‘Old-Style £2’ Mean?
From 1986 until the coin changed to a bi-metallic version in 1997, the two pound coin was issued as a commemorative coin issuing a total of 7 different designs over a five-year period. Some of these designs include the 1996 Football £2 and the Bill of Rights £2.
They were produced largely to appeal to collectors. They were minted in nickel-brass, silver, and gold. They are typically collected and kept by collectors and not circulated.
Before the coin changed its design to the modern-day two pound coin, it was called the Double Sovereign.
The Double sovereign was a gold coin with a nominal value of two pounds sterling, or 40 shillings. Under the reign of George III in 1820, the coin was considered to be a pattern coin using the design of Benedetto Pistrucci that featured George and Dragon.
The Double Sovereign originals never entered circulation until 1887 when a new Double Sovereign was issued for Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee. From 1823 through 1996, the two pound coin was minted only occasionally. Starting when Queen Elizabeth II came to reign, the coin’s obverse began to feature an effigy of the Queen.
Design Of The Coin
The reverse of the 1995 two pound features a design by Michael Rizzello. It was to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the forming of the United Nations.
It features the words NATIONS UNITED FOR PEACE arced over an image of flags fanned out around the UN logo of a world map surrounded by two olive branches and the number 50 encompassing the UN symbol. This is the reason why the coin is commonly referred to as the ‘Nations United For Peace £2 coin’.
Underneath the image is the dates 1945-1995 curved upward and centred. The designer’s initials MR are seen toward the bottom of the flags and to the left of the Number 50.
Michael Rizello designed the reverse of the coin. He was a sculptor who served in the military during and after World War II. After he had served in the military, he studied at the Royal College of Art.
During his more than 30 years at the Royal Mint, he designed coins and medals for many countries. When he designed the flags on the coin’s image, he deliberately avoided any reference to numbers, individual member states, or their perceived importance. He simply wanted it to reflect nations uniting.
The obverse of the United Nations two pound coin features the Raphael David Maklouf effigy which appeared on the obverse from 1985 to 1996. This is considered to be the third major portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. She is facing right wearing the royal diadem which she wears on her way to and from the State Opening of Parliament. She is also wearing a pearl necklace and earrings.
Specifications Of The Coin
In terms of specifications, the old £2 coins were heavier than the new £2 coins that we know today but with the same diameter.
| Diameter (g) | 15.976 |
| Weight (mm) | 28.400 |
What Does The Nations United For Peace £2 Coin Represent?
The 50th anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations was celebrated in an effort to raise the banner of hope wherever there is need, conflict, and tension in the world.
In the aftermath of a devastating war, the United Nations was established in an effort to maintain world peace and security while working for social progress.
The idea is rooted in meetings between US President Franklin D Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill that took place aboard warships off the coast of Newfoundland. Their Atlantic Charter called for the fullest collaboration between all nations to find peace.
In June of 1945, about fifty nations met in San Francisco to approve the United Nations Charter. On October 24, 1945, the Charter was ratified and brought into effect.
The United Nations’ purpose is to resolve potential conflicts peacefully, to alleviate poverty, hunger, and the ravages of disease while ensuring that every man, woman, and child in the world enjoys basic human rights and the protection of the law.
In celebration of the 50th anniversary, Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali stated, “The Fiftieth Anniversary of the United Nations is a time to project into the future our vision of a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world to spread the spirit of cooperation among the peoples of the world, to celebrate and to share a vision of the great potential of this unique Organization.”
Final Thoughts
Old £2 coins are definitely collectable, and the Nations United for Peace £2 coin is no exception to this rule.
If you happen to own one of these coins you should consider yourself lucky, just remember to not accidentally try spending it in a shop…
